John Legend & Alicia Keys Featured on ’12 Years A Slave’ Soundtrack

One of the biggest contenders to take home Oscar gold this year, 12 Years A Slave, is also getting a soundtrack crafted by John Legend, whose version of the slave song “Roll Jordan Roll” has been released as the first single — listen below.

“12 Years A Slave is a stunningly powerful film,” Legend said in a press release issued by Columbia Records. “I was so moved when I saw it. I felt every minute of it and was so inspired to contribute to the music of the soundtrack. This album brings together some incredible artists from different places and different genres who have all been touched by the film. When artists are inspired by great art, it makes us want to create. This album is the result of that inspiration.”

The original soundtrack will feature 16 tracks characterized as “songs of freedom,” all inspired by the true story of Soloman Northup. Northup–played by Chiwetel Ejiofo in the film–was a free man in upstate New York, before the Civil War, who was abducted and sold into slavery. (Watch the trailer below.)